Report: Ben Roethlisberger to make $99 million over next five years

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(3/14/15) Terms of Ben Roethlisberger's new contract extension surfaced on Saturday. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Big Ben's five-year deal is worth $99 million, and can escalate to $108 million. Roethlisberger was set to hit free agency after the 2015 season before both sides reached an agreement this offseason.

Roethlisberger was selected in the first round of the 2004 draft and has been the organization's quarterback since, leading the Steelers to three Super Bowl appearances and two titles.

In his 11-year career, Roethlisberger has thrown for 39,057 yards, 251 yards and 131 interceptions. He is coming off his best season. He threw for 4,952 yards and 32 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also had a career-best 103.3 quarterback rating in 2014.

"It's home. It's family," Roethlisberger said. "As much as my wife and kids are family, so is the Rooney family and my team and coaches."

Roethlisberger was selected in the first round of the 2004 draft and has been the organization's quarterback since. In his 11-year career, Roethlisberger has thrown for 39,057 yards, 251 yards and 131 interceptions.

Roethlisberger has led the Steelers to three Super Bowl appearances and has won two — Super bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII.

In 2014, Roethlisberger tied Saints quarterback Drew Brees as the NFL leaders in passing yards with 4,952 each. Roethlisberger threw six touchdowns in consecutive games this past season, in Week 8 against the Colts and Week 9 against the Ravens.

Steelers GM: Ben Roethlisberger extension talks still ongoing

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(2/18/15) Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert told reporters during his combine press conference that contract extension talks between Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisbergerare still ongoing, per CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. The team is working on finalizing a deal that will keep Roethlisberger a Steeler for the remainder of his career.

Roethlisberger, who will turn 33 next month, signed a $102 million deal in 2008, which runs out at the end of the 2015 season. He is coming off his best season. He threw for 4,952 yards and 32 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also had a career-best 103.3 quarterback rating in 2014.

Steelers open contract talks with QB Ben Roethlisberger

by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(2/10/15) The Steelers announced they've begun preliminary negotiations on a contract extension with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who's owed $11.6 million in 2015, the final year of his deal.

General manager Kevin Colbert said there's no timetable for finalizing the contract. Big Ben turns 33 next month and likely will finish his career in Pittsburgh.

"I think Ben is going to be better quarterback down the road than he has to this point," Colbert said, per NFL.com. "He'll get better with good players around him."

Roethlisberger threw for 4,952 yards and 32 touchdowns with nine interceptions last season.

Rooney on Big Ben extension: 'The sooner the better'

by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(1/21/15) Steelers co-owner Art Rooney II sounds eager to negotiate a contract extension with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who's owed $11.6 million next season in the final year of his deal.

“Obviously we would like to get it done this offseason, and I think it’s fair to say the sooner the better,” Rooney told the team's website, “but I’m not going to put any particular time frame on these things.

"It’s kind of hard to predict how long it takes to get something done, but we certainly want to get something done this offseason. That’s for sure. It takes two to tango when it comes to contract negotiations. I’m not expecting a problem, but again, I hate to put predictions on those kinds of things.”

Roethlisberger is coming off his best season. He threw for 4,952 yards and 32 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

“I will take that problem,” Rooney said, referring to the higher cost of an extension now. “I’m happy to have a player who had a great year. I would rather have that situation than the reverse. I’m not complaining about it. It is what it is. We will just have to deal with the circumstances as they present themselves in this offseason.”

Ben Roethlisberger remains at the helm of the Steelers offense, that's no surprise. But what might be a surprise is that he finished as a Top 12 Fantasy quarterback last season despite averaging less than 20 points per game -- only something he, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick did. That was due to two very different halves to his season: He averaged 15.1 Fantasy points per game in his first seven matchups and finished with 22.2 Fantasy points per game in his final nine. The difference? He used the no-huddle and leaned on running back Le'Veon Bell as a receiver. Expect those things to continue this season. There's a little bit of concern that Roethlisberger's receiving corps won't be sharp since Emmanuel Sanders left and will be replaced by second-year receiver Markus Wheaton and veteran underachiever Darrius Heyward-Bey. But his offensive line should be better, which won't hurt. For Fantasy purposes the best news on Roethlisberger is that you won't have to spend a big pick to get him. He'll get taken with a late rounder in every single draft as a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback with modest potential. We love the idea of pairing him with Russell Wilson since he has a good matchup the week of Wilson's bye (and could replace Wilson if he gets off to a slow start).
(Updated 6/5/14)